Gay Melbourne

Gay Melbourne

Cosmopolitan Melbourne is Australia's more refined gay destination. Amazing restaurants tempt foodies with cuisines from around the world. Buildings ranging in style from neoclassical to modern draw architecture buffs. And the gay scene, split between the arty queers and the leather studs, has something for everyone.

The city, built during the gold rush of the 19th century, is extraordinarily well planned. Explore such inner-city laneways (narrow, pedestrian-only streets) as Hosier Lane and Degraves Street, and you'll find a selection of cafes that rival the best in Europe. The two National Galleries, one displaying Australian art, the other showing international works, are known for their world-class exhibitions.

While Melbourne has a gay scene to satisfy just about everyone, you can't help but notice how much the city caters to the artsy types and leather aficionados, those with open minds and adventurous spirits will be well rewarded. Of course, everyone comes together on Sunday afternoon for drinks at the Railway Hotel.

Melbourne has a pleasantly high concentration of Greeks and Italians, so if tall, dark and handsome is your thing, you'll be busy during your stay.

Some discount domestic carriers arrive at Avalon Airport, about 31 miles southwest of the city. Farther from the city, it requires more expensive and time-consuming connections. such as the Avalon Airport Shuttle at $22 to the CSB.

Getting around

Melbourne has amazing public transportation. Buy a myki smartcard at the airport or from over 800 retail outlets across metropolitan and regional Victoria, including all 7-Eleven stores. The myki Visitor Value Pack costs $14, good for for one full day’s travel on trains, trams and buses throughout Zones 1 and 2, plus some area discounts. Top up your card with myki money to pay-as-you-go for additional 2-hour fares at $3.90. Trams are the best way to get around downtown. See PTV for full details.

The Melbourne Bike Share system serves the central business district of Melbourne and St Kilda. For unlimited 30-minute rides between 49 stations subscriptions start at $3 per day, and free helmets are provided. Going over 30 minutes will incur additional fees. Casual daily or weekly riders may use a credit card at any bike station to receive a bike unlocking code, valid for one bike for one trip. See details online, or find the Spotcycle app at GooglePlay or iTunes.

To travel around Melbourne in high style, venture out to the Yarra Valley for lunch, or fly over the rugged Victorian coastline, check out Microflite Helicopter Services tours and charters.

Neighborhoods

As you explore the city by foot, pay attention to the weather. Dress in layers since Melbourne is famous for having three seasons in a single day.

To the south of the city are the daytime gay areas: South Yarra, Prahran and St Kilda. Commercial Road is the subtly gay strip in this part of the city. Nearby you will find the biggest gay club and a sprinkling of cafes, bars and stores popular with the boys.

Up north, there is a different mix of gay distractions. During the day, visit the great boutiques, quirky galleries and stylish restaurants along Brunswick Street. At night, the suburbs of Fitzroy, Collingwood and Abbotsford really come alive.

Currency and Money

The local currency is the Australian dollar. You shouldn’t have trouble finding ATMs in most urban areas.

Gay rights in Australia

LGBT people are protected from discrimination and enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as other Australians. On December 9, 2017 the country became the 25th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

Most laws affecting LGBT and intersex rights are made by its states and territories. Between 1975 and 1997, the states and territories progressively repealed anti-homosexuality laws inherited from Britain, and each jurisdiction now has an equal age of consent of 16 for all sexual acts (except Tasmania and South Australia at 17). All, with the exception of the Northern Territory, allow both joint and step-parent same-sex adoption. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is prohibited.

DNA is a national glossy gay magazine with some very impressive photography.

Emen8, "Australia's biggest and boldest online sexual health and wellbeing initiative for gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men!" also has travel and events highlights and tips on fashion and design.

Fuse Magazine has national coverage of gay Australia from their Canberra base.

Star Observer, and Q Magazine are local gay publications. Look for them in bars and shops along Commercial Road or download a pdf from their website.

Joy 94.9FM is the local LGBTIQ radio station - check them out online from anywhere in the world, live 24/7, on any platform.

MCV Magazine is dead, along with fellow Evo Media publications such as Cult, SX (NSW), Queensland Pride (Brisbane), Blaze (SA), and their Gay News Network website. See this OutinPerth article on the subject.

See our listings tab for map locations and website links for gay Melbourne businesses and more.

Main events

The Midsumma Festival gay arts and culture festival events kick off in mid-January, with a month of events and performances all over town. The Pride March heads down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda to Catana Gardens in late January. Melbourne Queer Film Festival is an annual 11-day program of international gay films in March-April.

The Cullen (164 Commercial Rd; 61-3-9098-1555), new boutique art hotel in the gayborhood, one of four planned, two restaurants, hair salon; displays paintings and sculpures from local contemporary enfant terrible, Adam Cullen.

The Peel (Peel and Wellington Streets, Collingwood), usually younger guys in abundance, crowd varies with night, as do DJs; each his own mood. Dance floor "full-on" after midnight, lounge and game rooms chill-out space.

Fitness First (560 Church St) in the suburb of Richmond, draws lots of gays with a state-of-the-art gym.

Shopping
Melbourne is a paradise for gays looking to indulge in a bit of fashion shopping. There is an abundance of men's stores featuring well-known local talent. Maybe because of the cooler weather, Melbourne's fashion palette is all about blacks, whites and the shades of gray in between.

David Jones (Bourke St, Central Business District), one of two big department stores, with big brand names.

Eagle Leather (80 Hoddle St, Abbotsville) is a store and community center of sorts, with leather and fetish clothing, accessories, toys, books and magazines plus bear items. Open daily except Monday, they have an online store too.